Junk Card Boggs
@junkcardboggs.bsky.social
Mostly baseball cards of the 80s and 90s, in precisely 300 characters. Sorry, I am not Wade Boggs.
A prime position representative of 90s ATL, David Justice hit .873 OPS in his 20s. Remarkably, that rate increased the second half of his career in CLE, NYY, and OAK.
97 Upper Deck sets up a Braves season that never came. Justice was dealt to CLE in March. The HR record mentioned was broken twice.
97 Upper Deck sets up a Braves season that never came. Justice was dealt to CLE in March. The HR record mentioned was broken twice.
November 26, 2025 at 6:31 PM
A prime position representative of 90s ATL, David Justice hit .873 OPS in his 20s. Remarkably, that rate increased the second half of his career in CLE, NYY, and OAK.
97 Upper Deck sets up a Braves season that never came. Justice was dealt to CLE in March. The HR record mentioned was broken twice.
97 Upper Deck sets up a Braves season that never came. Justice was dealt to CLE in March. The HR record mentioned was broken twice.
A name-merging World Series champ with NYY, Glenallen Hill played 13 years on seven teams. Minor leaguer Glenallen Jr awaits.
92 Leaf meets elder Hill in CLE after an early-career trade. On front, he shows concern about the fly ball. He calmly awaits an at-bat aback, next to his killer minor stats.
92 Leaf meets elder Hill in CLE after an early-career trade. On front, he shows concern about the fly ball. He calmly awaits an at-bat aback, next to his killer minor stats.
November 26, 2025 at 5:13 AM
A name-merging World Series champ with NYY, Glenallen Hill played 13 years on seven teams. Minor leaguer Glenallen Jr awaits.
92 Leaf meets elder Hill in CLE after an early-career trade. On front, he shows concern about the fly ball. He calmly awaits an at-bat aback, next to his killer minor stats.
92 Leaf meets elder Hill in CLE after an early-career trade. On front, he shows concern about the fly ball. He calmly awaits an at-bat aback, next to his killer minor stats.
Fewer than 100 players have an MLB career of 50 starts and 50 saves, and only Ted Power has a last name that suggests he brings the heat. After six years in CIN, his Midwest journey hit DET, STL, PIT, and CLE.
89 Score shows Power’s power with the front photo hurl for KCR. The back bio confirms it.
89 Score shows Power’s power with the front photo hurl for KCR. The back bio confirms it.
November 25, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Fewer than 100 players have an MLB career of 50 starts and 50 saves, and only Ted Power has a last name that suggests he brings the heat. After six years in CIN, his Midwest journey hit DET, STL, PIT, and CLE.
89 Score shows Power’s power with the front photo hurl for KCR. The back bio confirms it.
89 Score shows Power’s power with the front photo hurl for KCR. The back bio confirms it.
A multi-time All Star and home run leader with his three primary teams, Reggie Jackson was a first-ballot Hall of Famer and postseason star.
90 Upper Deck celebrates #44 wearing #9 during his one MVP season, with OAK. Jackson also snagged World Series MVP that year, then again to become Mr October.
90 Upper Deck celebrates #44 wearing #9 during his one MVP season, with OAK. Jackson also snagged World Series MVP that year, then again to become Mr October.
November 23, 2025 at 6:04 PM
A multi-time All Star and home run leader with his three primary teams, Reggie Jackson was a first-ballot Hall of Famer and postseason star.
90 Upper Deck celebrates #44 wearing #9 during his one MVP season, with OAK. Jackson also snagged World Series MVP that year, then again to become Mr October.
90 Upper Deck celebrates #44 wearing #9 during his one MVP season, with OAK. Jackson also snagged World Series MVP that year, then again to become Mr October.
After three arm surgeries in the minor leagues, you’d better believe Jay Payton had a good arm. The outfielder was a 1st round pick for NYM and is the last person to homer off famed closer Mariano Rivera in the postseason (during the 2000 Subway Series).
01 Fleer Focus follows Payton’s rookie year.
01 Fleer Focus follows Payton’s rookie year.
November 22, 2025 at 8:05 PM
After three arm surgeries in the minor leagues, you’d better believe Jay Payton had a good arm. The outfielder was a 1st round pick for NYM and is the last person to homer off famed closer Mariano Rivera in the postseason (during the 2000 Subway Series).
01 Fleer Focus follows Payton’s rookie year.
01 Fleer Focus follows Payton’s rookie year.
For a guy born, raised, and retired in Texas, it’s surprising that Nolan Ryan’s career started in populous New York and California cities.
92 Mother’s Cookies celebrates all seven of Ryan’s no hitters, the last in 1991 with TEX. This card puts Ryan in CAL, and the BB count betrays his no-no secret.
92 Mother’s Cookies celebrates all seven of Ryan’s no hitters, the last in 1991 with TEX. This card puts Ryan in CAL, and the BB count betrays his no-no secret.
November 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
For a guy born, raised, and retired in Texas, it’s surprising that Nolan Ryan’s career started in populous New York and California cities.
92 Mother’s Cookies celebrates all seven of Ryan’s no hitters, the last in 1991 with TEX. This card puts Ryan in CAL, and the BB count betrays his no-no secret.
92 Mother’s Cookies celebrates all seven of Ryan’s no hitters, the last in 1991 with TEX. This card puts Ryan in CAL, and the BB count betrays his no-no secret.
Contrary to the collector’s myth, Juan Samuel existed outside of his placement on baseball cards. In fact, his 1987 made the 2B look real and good: 28 HR, 100 RBIs, and NL-leading 15 triples. His 35 SBs was down from his 56/year average.
89 Score name Samuel as a superstar and a “top young hitter.”
89 Score name Samuel as a superstar and a “top young hitter.”
November 20, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Contrary to the collector’s myth, Juan Samuel existed outside of his placement on baseball cards. In fact, his 1987 made the 2B look real and good: 28 HR, 100 RBIs, and NL-leading 15 triples. His 35 SBs was down from his 56/year average.
89 Score name Samuel as a superstar and a “top young hitter.”
89 Score name Samuel as a superstar and a “top young hitter.”
Twice drafted in the 1st round, expectations were high for Craig Worthington. His rookie campaign did not disappoint: the 3B started 90% of games, hitting 15 HR and 70 RBIs for BAL.
90 Topps thought Worthington worth it in its Rookies set. Though the photo may look AI-generated, it’s simply blurry.
90 Topps thought Worthington worth it in its Rookies set. Though the photo may look AI-generated, it’s simply blurry.
November 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Twice drafted in the 1st round, expectations were high for Craig Worthington. His rookie campaign did not disappoint: the 3B started 90% of games, hitting 15 HR and 70 RBIs for BAL.
90 Topps thought Worthington worth it in its Rookies set. Though the photo may look AI-generated, it’s simply blurry.
90 Topps thought Worthington worth it in its Rookies set. Though the photo may look AI-generated, it’s simply blurry.
How many 45th round (!) draft picks can say what Glenn Sutko can: he made it to the major leagues. More than a cup of coffee, he played in 11 games over two CIN seasons.
92 Fleer comes after all of Sutko’s MLB service time. A photo and short bio on back complement plenty of minor league city names.
92 Fleer comes after all of Sutko’s MLB service time. A photo and short bio on back complement plenty of minor league city names.
November 19, 2025 at 2:54 AM
How many 45th round (!) draft picks can say what Glenn Sutko can: he made it to the major leagues. More than a cup of coffee, he played in 11 games over two CIN seasons.
92 Fleer comes after all of Sutko’s MLB service time. A photo and short bio on back complement plenty of minor league city names.
92 Fleer comes after all of Sutko’s MLB service time. A photo and short bio on back complement plenty of minor league city names.
As one of seven players on both MIN World Series teams, it’s hard to believe Greg Gagne played anywhere else. The SS spent three years in KCR and two in LAD.
94 Donruss goes full bleed and delegates design to the photos, the second time Donruss had two. Both show Gagne where he shined—in the field.
94 Donruss goes full bleed and delegates design to the photos, the second time Donruss had two. Both show Gagne where he shined—in the field.
November 18, 2025 at 1:39 AM
As one of seven players on both MIN World Series teams, it’s hard to believe Greg Gagne played anywhere else. The SS spent three years in KCR and two in LAD.
94 Donruss goes full bleed and delegates design to the photos, the second time Donruss had two. Both show Gagne where he shined—in the field.
94 Donruss goes full bleed and delegates design to the photos, the second time Donruss had two. Both show Gagne where he shined—in the field.
Texas is a big enough state that Donald Harris was born, schooled, and drafted there. He was selected by TEX two spots ahead of Frank Thomas. His play time was blocked by other big names: Canseco and Gonzalez.
90 Score celebrates the 1st round pick, all smiles on front and all business on the back.
90 Score celebrates the 1st round pick, all smiles on front and all business on the back.
November 16, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Texas is a big enough state that Donald Harris was born, schooled, and drafted there. He was selected by TEX two spots ahead of Frank Thomas. His play time was blocked by other big names: Canseco and Gonzalez.
90 Score celebrates the 1st round pick, all smiles on front and all business on the back.
90 Score celebrates the 1st round pick, all smiles on front and all business on the back.
A poor-hitting SS/2B, Tony La Russa floundered in six MLB seasons. He debuted with KCA, then saw his team move to OAK as he toiled in the minors. La Russa finished playing in ATL and CHC, then settled for Hall of Fame manager.
90 Topps adds a bat to this stoic non-player card, but most still shrug.
90 Topps adds a bat to this stoic non-player card, but most still shrug.
November 15, 2025 at 4:41 PM
A poor-hitting SS/2B, Tony La Russa floundered in six MLB seasons. He debuted with KCA, then saw his team move to OAK as he toiled in the minors. La Russa finished playing in ATL and CHC, then settled for Hall of Fame manager.
90 Topps adds a bat to this stoic non-player card, but most still shrug.
90 Topps adds a bat to this stoic non-player card, but most still shrug.
A core early 1990s ATL team member, Terry Pendleton left a year before the 1995 championship. In 1991, his .319 batting title made him NL MVP.
92 Studio envelopes Pendleton in this in-depth session. The fancy gold card mixes a front portrait with a back interview that burns former Brave Zane Smith.
92 Studio envelopes Pendleton in this in-depth session. The fancy gold card mixes a front portrait with a back interview that burns former Brave Zane Smith.
November 14, 2025 at 11:17 PM
A core early 1990s ATL team member, Terry Pendleton left a year before the 1995 championship. In 1991, his .319 batting title made him NL MVP.
92 Studio envelopes Pendleton in this in-depth session. The fancy gold card mixes a front portrait with a back interview that burns former Brave Zane Smith.
92 Studio envelopes Pendleton in this in-depth session. The fancy gold card mixes a front portrait with a back interview that burns former Brave Zane Smith.
Throughout the 1980s, switch-hitting Tim Raines was as solid as his “Rock” nickname. In those 10 years, Raines averaged over 60 SBs, with a career-low 33 in a short 109-game season.
92 Leaf brings post-trade Raines and his small-ball bunting skills to CHW. Rock rolls a full swing on the back photo.
92 Leaf brings post-trade Raines and his small-ball bunting skills to CHW. Rock rolls a full swing on the back photo.
November 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Throughout the 1980s, switch-hitting Tim Raines was as solid as his “Rock” nickname. In those 10 years, Raines averaged over 60 SBs, with a career-low 33 in a short 109-game season.
92 Leaf brings post-trade Raines and his small-ball bunting skills to CHW. Rock rolls a full swing on the back photo.
92 Leaf brings post-trade Raines and his small-ball bunting skills to CHW. Rock rolls a full swing on the back photo.
A first ballot Hall of Famer and 2x World Series champ, Kirby Puckett retired after sudden vision problems.
91 Fleer Ultra is the company’s first premium set. Ultra Team is 10 gold card inserts that feature stars of that moment. Kirby’s three photo design is similar to the back of the standard set.
91 Fleer Ultra is the company’s first premium set. Ultra Team is 10 gold card inserts that feature stars of that moment. Kirby’s three photo design is similar to the back of the standard set.
November 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A first ballot Hall of Famer and 2x World Series champ, Kirby Puckett retired after sudden vision problems.
91 Fleer Ultra is the company’s first premium set. Ultra Team is 10 gold card inserts that feature stars of that moment. Kirby’s three photo design is similar to the back of the standard set.
91 Fleer Ultra is the company’s first premium set. Ultra Team is 10 gold card inserts that feature stars of that moment. Kirby’s three photo design is similar to the back of the standard set.
Five years older than his brother, Mike Maddux joined the MLB just three months ahead of Greg. The elder Maddux played 15 seasons, which was still eight shy of his kid brother.
90 Donruss surrounds each player with a different splatter pattern. Maddux, still with his first team (PHI), contemplates.
90 Donruss surrounds each player with a different splatter pattern. Maddux, still with his first team (PHI), contemplates.
November 11, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Five years older than his brother, Mike Maddux joined the MLB just three months ahead of Greg. The elder Maddux played 15 seasons, which was still eight shy of his kid brother.
90 Donruss surrounds each player with a different splatter pattern. Maddux, still with his first team (PHI), contemplates.
90 Donruss surrounds each player with a different splatter pattern. Maddux, still with his first team (PHI), contemplates.
It took 10 years and nine minor league teams for Paul Gibson to become an MLB pitcher. He’d spend parts of eight seasons in the bigs with DET, NYM, and NYY.
89 Score was one of Gibson’s first cards and teammate Luis Salazar photo-bombed with a crotch grab. The company issued a white-out correction.
89 Score was one of Gibson’s first cards and teammate Luis Salazar photo-bombed with a crotch grab. The company issued a white-out correction.
November 10, 2025 at 9:20 PM
It took 10 years and nine minor league teams for Paul Gibson to become an MLB pitcher. He’d spend parts of eight seasons in the bigs with DET, NYM, and NYY.
89 Score was one of Gibson’s first cards and teammate Luis Salazar photo-bombed with a crotch grab. The company issued a white-out correction.
89 Score was one of Gibson’s first cards and teammate Luis Salazar photo-bombed with a crotch grab. The company issued a white-out correction.
Though it took 10 ballots, the writers elected Edgar Martinez to the Hall of Fame. He has the longevity (18 seasons), peak play (check out his strike-shortened 1995), and loyalty (whole career in SEA) the Hall loves.
94 Leaf shows Gar tossing from 3B, before his DH switch. The shiny Ms logo is fun.
94 Leaf shows Gar tossing from 3B, before his DH switch. The shiny Ms logo is fun.
November 9, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Though it took 10 ballots, the writers elected Edgar Martinez to the Hall of Fame. He has the longevity (18 seasons), peak play (check out his strike-shortened 1995), and loyalty (whole career in SEA) the Hall loves.
94 Leaf shows Gar tossing from 3B, before his DH switch. The shiny Ms logo is fun.
94 Leaf shows Gar tossing from 3B, before his DH switch. The shiny Ms logo is fun.
Asked for a scouting report on Mike Scioscia, his longtime manager said: “if he was racing his pregnant wife, he’d come in third.” Luckily he was a catcher.
93 Topps came out before Scioscia retired that season. As catcher action photos go, it’s not bad. The back betrays his low batting order slot.
93 Topps came out before Scioscia retired that season. As catcher action photos go, it’s not bad. The back betrays his low batting order slot.
November 8, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Asked for a scouting report on Mike Scioscia, his longtime manager said: “if he was racing his pregnant wife, he’d come in third.” Luckily he was a catcher.
93 Topps came out before Scioscia retired that season. As catcher action photos go, it’s not bad. The back betrays his low batting order slot.
93 Topps came out before Scioscia retired that season. As catcher action photos go, it’s not bad. The back betrays his low batting order slot.
For all of his 11 MLB seasons, Robby Thompson played for SFG, starting each of those opening days at 2B. He spent one inning at SS in 1986.
87 Broder Rookies is a set of unlicensed photo cards by photographer Rob Broder. A choked-up Thompson is also referenced as Rob, but that may be a coincidence.
87 Broder Rookies is a set of unlicensed photo cards by photographer Rob Broder. A choked-up Thompson is also referenced as Rob, but that may be a coincidence.
November 7, 2025 at 6:34 PM
For all of his 11 MLB seasons, Robby Thompson played for SFG, starting each of those opening days at 2B. He spent one inning at SS in 1986.
87 Broder Rookies is a set of unlicensed photo cards by photographer Rob Broder. A choked-up Thompson is also referenced as Rob, but that may be a coincidence.
87 Broder Rookies is a set of unlicensed photo cards by photographer Rob Broder. A choked-up Thompson is also referenced as Rob, but that may be a coincidence.
There’s not much difference between Bob Zupcic and Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, except for their age, position, and about 2,000 hits. Like Pudge, Zupcic had two colored socks, with BOS and CHW.
92 Donruss shows an intense, post-swing Zupcic as a BOS rookie. The back candid fades into the white card.
92 Donruss shows an intense, post-swing Zupcic as a BOS rookie. The back candid fades into the white card.
November 6, 2025 at 10:48 PM
There’s not much difference between Bob Zupcic and Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, except for their age, position, and about 2,000 hits. Like Pudge, Zupcic had two colored socks, with BOS and CHW.
92 Donruss shows an intense, post-swing Zupcic as a BOS rookie. The back candid fades into the white card.
92 Donruss shows an intense, post-swing Zupcic as a BOS rookie. The back candid fades into the white card.
How rarely did Tony Gwynn strike out? His 1990s total (188) would not have been enough to lead the MLB in 21 of the last 25 seasons. That is, the worst offenders whiff 10x more than the SDP Hall of Famer did.
97 Upper Deck highlights a specific game where Gwynn’s genius defeated SDP’s SoCal rivals.
97 Upper Deck highlights a specific game where Gwynn’s genius defeated SDP’s SoCal rivals.
November 6, 2025 at 12:44 AM
How rarely did Tony Gwynn strike out? His 1990s total (188) would not have been enough to lead the MLB in 21 of the last 25 seasons. That is, the worst offenders whiff 10x more than the SDP Hall of Famer did.
97 Upper Deck highlights a specific game where Gwynn’s genius defeated SDP’s SoCal rivals.
97 Upper Deck highlights a specific game where Gwynn’s genius defeated SDP’s SoCal rivals.
In four full seasons with PIT, Brian Giles *averaged* nearly 40 HR and over 100 RBIs. He was a 2x All Star, but never got one MVP vote.
01 Fleer Focus blurs the background to make Giles’ big swing pop from the card. He’s wearing a Homestead Grays jersey to honor the former Pittsburgh-area NNL team.
01 Fleer Focus blurs the background to make Giles’ big swing pop from the card. He’s wearing a Homestead Grays jersey to honor the former Pittsburgh-area NNL team.
November 4, 2025 at 10:27 PM
In four full seasons with PIT, Brian Giles *averaged* nearly 40 HR and over 100 RBIs. He was a 2x All Star, but never got one MVP vote.
01 Fleer Focus blurs the background to make Giles’ big swing pop from the card. He’s wearing a Homestead Grays jersey to honor the former Pittsburgh-area NNL team.
01 Fleer Focus blurs the background to make Giles’ big swing pop from the card. He’s wearing a Homestead Grays jersey to honor the former Pittsburgh-area NNL team.
A five-year OF role player for NYY, Hensley Meulens was in AAA for four of them. Then he spent three years in Japan before returning to play in MON and ARI. He’d finish his playing career in Korea.
89 Donruss lists Meulens as a 3B, his primary minors position. The real 3B of the future? Wade Boggs.
89 Donruss lists Meulens as a 3B, his primary minors position. The real 3B of the future? Wade Boggs.
November 3, 2025 at 10:53 PM
A five-year OF role player for NYY, Hensley Meulens was in AAA for four of them. Then he spent three years in Japan before returning to play in MON and ARI. He’d finish his playing career in Korea.
89 Donruss lists Meulens as a 3B, his primary minors position. The real 3B of the future? Wade Boggs.
89 Donruss lists Meulens as a 3B, his primary minors position. The real 3B of the future? Wade Boggs.
The makings of a SDP career were there for Benito Santiago. When his early success wasn’t rewarded with salary, he vowed to leave in free agency. He’d play for nine teams over 17 years.
95 Topps Stadium Club goes full grunge and chart junk, with Santiago a FLA free agent signing that goes by Benny.
95 Topps Stadium Club goes full grunge and chart junk, with Santiago a FLA free agent signing that goes by Benny.
November 2, 2025 at 6:06 PM
The makings of a SDP career were there for Benito Santiago. When his early success wasn’t rewarded with salary, he vowed to leave in free agency. He’d play for nine teams over 17 years.
95 Topps Stadium Club goes full grunge and chart junk, with Santiago a FLA free agent signing that goes by Benny.
95 Topps Stadium Club goes full grunge and chart junk, with Santiago a FLA free agent signing that goes by Benny.